RACE 1 - Tough opener: (3) JOJOS PLACE went through a rough patch for a while but was a very sharp
winner 2 back, then won again off the claim last week - goes for another new barn tonight, and does seem
sharp enough to handle the class jump...one of a few that could take this (2) CHICKEN NUGGET has been
very sharp across the river, even if vs. cheaper - barn hasn't missed a beat even with the boss serving some
days, and this guy has to be seen as a legitimate threat tonight. (5) ITSGOODTOBEDAKING tired vs. the
40s last week but drops back down to the level he beat the week before that - deserves respect, for sure. (1)
ROBBIE BURNS N changed barns and dropped from 75s to 50s after the winter break - tired that night
then raced ok dropping to 40s in his next - has now missed 4 weeks and drops down to 30s - normally
would pass, but his already on-fire barn did send out 3 dominant winners last Monday - not really sure what
to do here! (4) SOHO WALLSTREET A has raced well in his 3 starts since the claim, but may be just a
notch below a few of these - use underneath. (7) EL JACKO N looked better in his last in NJ in his 2nd try
after the barn change - would have liked his chances better had he not drawn so poorly for his YR debut.
(6) ROCK THE NITE has been better lately for sure, but this seems like a tough spot. (8) AMERICAN
REBEL lands all the way outside for a new barn, and will probably need to wait for a better spot.
RACE 2 - (2) GINGER TREE PETE has been a rock solid performer for some time, seemingly for any
barn that has him - moves to another top outfit tonight, draws inside, and deserves top billing. (1) ROCK N
TONY moves all the way inside after a pair of horrible posts, and jogged from a similar spot 3 back (albeit
vs. a bit easier) - should be a major player again tonight. (4) CINNAMACK seems better suited for a little
cheaper, but he continues to grab pieces (and outrace his odds) most weeks against the 40s - include him in
exotics. (3) LATE MAIL N gets a pass for last week (bad shuffle), but he's been pretty camera shy for a
while - willing to include underneath, but sticking with others for the top spot. (5) YANKEE ROLLER A
picked up a 2nd at this level 2 back, but was definitely helped by the trip - jury still out as to whether he's a
legitimate $40K claimer, on a weekly basis. (8) IN SPADES has won 3 of his last 4 for a white hot barn,
but will need lots of trip luck to overcome this terrible draw - would have to be a pretty good price to
consider on top (7) WESTERN HILL has 3 recent wins but they were all on the lead...and it seems unlikely
that he'll get a chance to cut this mile tonight - wait for a better spot. (6) REVELRY grabbed a 3rd last start
but it was greatly aided by the easy trip - may not be as fortunate from Post 6.
RACE 3 - (3) TELL THEM LOU just conceded from Post 7 on the off track last week but he gets post
relief for tonight, and his prior 2 starts were excellent - deserves another chance. (1) HERRICKROOSEVE
LT N has used easy trips in recent starts to finish well enough for pieces - should be in a much closer spot
tonight, and could be a legitimate threat if he shows up on his best game. (6) ALWAYS AND AGAIN was
claimed here for $59K right before the winter break and has raced exclusively in NJ since then - figures to
be a good fit here, and should be a legit player despite the less than stellar draw. (5) PROVEN DESIRE is a
bit better right now than his lines may suggest - willing to include underneath, at a nice price. (7) EDDARD
HANOVER gets stuck with his 3rd straight horrible post - couldn't overcome the draw in his last couple,
and may suffer the same fate tonight...willing to throw in for 3rd, hoping for some trip luck. (4) PICARD A
was terrible 2 back, but a little better last week - not ready to endorse him as a contender, but will keep an
eye on him, for future consideration. (2) JUST PLAIN LOCO got really good for a while before tailing
later in the year - hard to get excited about his chances tonight off that "meh" qualifier. (8) TOM ME GUN
N will look better with a class drop (and hopefully better draw), next week.
RACE 4 - (1) IM SIR BLAKE A was a powerful winner last week, and his barn is 8-5-2-0 since last
Monday (and been hot all month, as well) - he's actually double jumping off that win, but he was sharp
against these types (from bad spots) just prior to that victory - we'll stay on his team. (3) CASUAL COOL
was racing well in NJ and was very good last week in his Hilltop return, blasting out hard early, then
finishing crisply for 2nd at the end - very live player. (2) MACHEASY A was overmatched in the Open 2
back, but was a solid 3rd dropping back down to this level last week - one to include in exotics (4) SONNY
WEAVER N flattened a bit after trying an early three wide move in his local debut - gets a better draw, gets
Bartlett to stay on board, and may be able to make a bit more noise this time. (8) SHANWAY N is a solid
fit at this level, but may face limited options from Post 8 - he did grab 3rd (at a big price) from Post 7 two
starts back, so feel free to include him for 3rd/4th tonight. (6) SHADOW CAT was able to hang on vs.
lesser 2 back, but faltered in the stretch last week after being used hard - look for him to get a conservative
trip here, perhaps allowing him to rally for a small piece. (5) BENHOPE RULZ N is sharp right now, but
probably on the cheaper side - may find these a little too tough. (7) GENIUS MAN is another that has been
doing damage with lesser, but could be up against it vs. these (especially from Post 7).
RACE 5 - (3) IM SOME GRADUATE benefited greatly from his trip in that victory 2 back, but he was
legitimately sharp in his last - looks like he's feeling pretty good right now, and may even be a decent price
in this fairly wide open affair - worth a play? (1) GLENGARRY KNIGHT N is almost always a major
player when he draws inside and tonight figures to be no exception - very logical contender. (5) PATRIOT
NATION really picked up his game in the latter part of 2021 and has continued to hold that good form into
the new year - just missed last week, and is eligible to come out on top tonight. (2) LYONS KING drops
down a notch and will surely get plenty of tote action as a result - very eligible here, but others will likely
offer more value. (7) LOUS SWEETREVENGE was a dead game winner in this class last start, and he's
won 9 of his 25 starts here - the issue tonight is Post 7...he MAY be able to overcome it, but you'd need to
get a pretty good price to use him on top from out here. (4) THE DOWNTOWN BUS is good right now but
he's lost all 16 of his starts here (last couple of years), and most of the time vs. easier than these - smaller
piece only. (6) MYKINDACHIP will get more of our attention when he gets some class relief - seems up
against vs. these, especially from the outside. (8) WHOS BETTER could use both a better draw, and also
some class relief.
RACE 6 - Sharp bunch of 50s....but clearly the sharpest of them all is (5) MAGRITTE, who brings an
incredible 8 race win streak into tonight - he'll be making his first try for the Super Siblings here, so we'll
see if he can extend his run to 9! (1) MARK WITHA K came up a strong 2nd best to the top choice last
week from Post 7 (at 31-1!) - moves all the way inside, and the price will obviously come way down - as
noted, barn hasn't missed a beat since the current listed trainer started subbing for the boss last week. (4)
SWEET N FAST N beat the 75s two back (off the winter break) so it's hard to know if the drop to 50s is a
red flag, or just an attempt to pick up another win - very tough call. (7) MACHIAVELLI looked like he had
jet packs on when he just obliterated the 30s (off the claim) for a very sharp barn 2 back - stepped up to 40s
last week for another red hot outfit and smashed his rivals once more - will now try the 50s, and can't be
dismissed, even from Post 7! (2) TONY TOO TALL can hang with the 50s, but does seem more at home
one level down - inside draw puts him in the hunt for a smaller piece. (6) MAJOR CROCKER A's last start
here was from Post 8, vs. the 75s - he'll appreciate the drop to 50s, but the tough field and outside draw may
limit his production for tonight. (8) MIGHTY SANTANA N was 2nd in his last pair and the fact that he's
rated this far down tonight is only a testament to just how strong this field is! (3) ITSMYCHECK GB stays
in 50s despite a pair of ugly efforts - we'll just keep an eye on him, for now.
RACE 7 - Incredibly competitive $100K claimer! (2) SAN DOMINO A tried it in the Open off the claim
and did the best he could after a tough draw - drops back in for the tag, draws inside, and perhaps that can
get him to the winner's circle. (7) ELWELL has won 4 in a row as the odds-on choice each week, but he'll
actually be a decent price tonight with the class jump, poor draw, and unfamiliar name listed as trainer - and
that probably makes him a decent value horse to use! (4) JOESSTAR OF MIAA has been a rock solid
performer in this class for some time, and the right trip could see him paying a visit to the photographer -
one of many possibilities in this excellent race. (1) ALEX TYE rallied well for 4th moving up to this level
3 back, then came out on top in his last pair - draws best, and obviously remains a big threat to take another
(3) ENVIRONS HANOVER was claimed for $40K back in October, and immediately thrived for his new
barn - showed up for $100K off the winter break and went a BIG first over try in the slop last week, just
missing to #1 - he'd be no surprise at all. (5) JESSE DUKE N was handled conservatively last week, then
rallied nicely for 3rd once free in the stretch - hasn't yet proven he can beat these mega-tough foes... but
he'll get his chance tonight. (6) WALKINSHAW N is in a tough spot and figures to be too far back to be a
serious threat...but note that he beat this class TWICE in the last 4 weeks before tossing him too quickly.
(8) MONEYMAN HILL is the only one in here that would really be a big surprise - just a tough spot!
RACE 8 - (8) LEONIDAS A is now 3 for 3 to start off the new year, and he properly gets assigned Post 8
once again - he MAY not be able to just march to the lead this time but despite his recent lines, he's always
been an even better horse OFF the pace...since he may even be a fair price tonight, we'll stay on board his
team. (7) RED RIGHT HAND gets a MAJOR class test tonight, and the 4YO certainly gets no luck with
the draw as he puts his 5 race winning streak on the line in his Open debut - that's a lot to overcome, but
he's really had the look of a budding Open pacer lately, and the guess is that he'll more than hold his own
tonight. (2) SEMI TOUGH was dull in his seasonal debut but quickly found his form the very next week -
and has been looking very good ever since - inside draw makes him a very logical threat tonight. (3) PYRO
wasn't bad at all in his first start off the layoff, and was a very game 4th last week despite a difficult trip -
he's upset at this level at big prices in the past, so give him at least a look. (1) DIAMONDBEACH will
surely appreciate the move inside, but he just may be a bit below a few of the top players - definitely ok for
a piece, though. (4) SAVE ME A DANCE's last couple suggest he may have slipped a bit from his top form
- needs to rebound to his "A Game" for a chance to be a serious player. (5) BRAEVIEW BONDI A is
incredibly sharp for an insanely hot barn, but this level may be just a bit of a stretch for him...even as good
as he is currently. (6) BILL HALEY N had a nice tightener off the layoff, but this doesn't seem like a good
spot for him - could use an easier field, and better post!
RACE 9 - (2) ROCK CANDY has been VERY good lately, finishing just behind the likes of Red Right
Hand, Funatthebeach, etc. - drops, draws inside, and figures to be a handful tonight. (6) OUR CORELLI N
was claimed for $50K 3 starts back and since then, has provided the Dynamic Duo with half of their local
wins this meet - steps up seeking his 3rd straight, and looms the main threat to the top choice. (7) AIR FOR
CE HANOVER is sharper now than he's been in a while, and comes into tonight off an excellent first over
3rd one class up - won't be easy from this spot but at 20-1 ML, he's surely worth including in exotics. (1)
BETTING EXCHANGE served notice 2 back that he was coming into form, building off that sharp try
with a win last week - steps up another notch tonight, but the inside draw puts him in the mix for a piece of
this. (3) BIG SIR picked up a 2nd and 3rd in his last pair, but just doesn't seem to be on his absolute best
game right now - needs to find a little more to have a shot at a good chunk tonight. (4) EAST BEACH also
picked up a 2nd and 3rd in his last pair - draws well enough for a chance at 3rd/4th with an easy enough
trip. (8) SILAS SEELSTER drops to a level he should thrive at, but tonight's draw may leave him waiting
for a better spot before he can make any significant noise. (5) SHNEONUCRZYDIAMND A qualified well
enough, but he's been away since 11/29 and really may need a start.
RACE 10 - (6) MARTY MONKHOUSER A was "meh" in his first 2 starts of the year but looked much
better in his last - he loves to win races (when sharp), and his substitute pilot should be brimming with
confidence from all the races he's been winning here this month - appealing at 6-1 ML. (3) SULLIVAN
looked sharp beating the 20s three back - disappointed on the lead vs. 25s in his next, but was a close 2nd
for his new barn last week - still a little iffy vs. 30s, but he does look like a solid fit in this field in his
current form. (7) DESIRES CAPTAIN is racing pretty well these days, but can't seem to get a break at the
draw - at 20-1 ML, he's absolutely worth including in exotics. (2) AVATAR J has found some better form in
his last couple, and the inside draw should allow him to contend for another good piece tonight. (5) FOX
VALLEY INFERNO has had some physical issues in the past, and his last couple of starts make it hard to
endorse him as the 2-1 ML choice...seems like a good week to take a shot against him. (1) HEAVENLY
SOUND is one of several from this barn that has been struggling - drop and rail are usually a solid pairing,
but this guy just hasn't looked good enough to recommend right now. (4) LA PLAYER A is still winless in
the U.S., and may need an easier spot in search of that maiden victory. (8) AWESOMENESS wasn't bad off
the layoff (even though 8th), but tonight's draw figures to limit him once again - watch for the future.
RACE 11 - (1) VELOCITY KOMODO is on his game right now, and figures to start off closer to the pace
with the inside draw - deserves top billing. (6) REGAL SON showed amazing stamina in his last couple,
somehow lasting for 3rd after being parked every step 2 back, then re-rallying in the stretch to win his last,
after briefly losing the lead to the place horse as they battled in the lane - too sharp to ignore right now. (7)
HEISMAN PLAYER consistently picks up pieces in this class, but hasn't been able to get his picture taken
- the outside draw won't help his chances tonight, but he may still be able to pick up a slice. (2) MACINTO
SH N doesn't seem like a serious threat for a top prize, but he took home 4th in his last pair, and may be
able to squeeze out another small share from Post 2. (3) WATERWAY probably needs to be in a bit easier
but he does draw well enough for a shot at a piece in this overall modest $50K claiming field. (4) KINNDE
R JACKSON managed to hang on for 3rd thanks to an easy trip last week, but we'll wait until his owner/
trainer puts a catch drover back up before seriously considering. (5) DARK ENERGY N would be hard to
recommend after finishing way up the track returning from the layoff. (8) BARON MICHAEL seems to be
in need of class relief AND a much better post.
RACE 12 - (3) MAYHEM HANOVER can beat much better than these when on his game, and his last
couple in NJ suggest that he's certainly ready to handle this crew - wouldn't bet the rent money on him at a
very short price, though. (2) RUNRUNJIMMYDUNN N only had one decent post in his last 5 starts and
wired that field that night, while well backed at the windows - moves back inside for tonight, and another
strong effort is expected. (4) IM A GIGOLO N is definitely on the unreliable side, but he's more than
capable of winning at this level - perhaps next in line should the top two falter? (1) FLYING FINN N hasn't
clicked yet for his current crew, but he does have a couple of potential excuses - reasonable spot to at least
for him to have a wake up call. (7) FIZZING N fits well with this bunch, but will likely be compromised by
the draw - willing to throw in for 3rd/4th. (6) EPIC ACE drops to the level he beat on 11/22, but will need a
lot to go his way from Post 6 - another one to consider for the bottom of the exotics. (5 HES ELECTRIC
has been away for 3 weeks and probably needs to be in a bit easier regardless. (8) REAL LUCKY N has
been struggling, and Post 8 is not going to be the remedy.